Scandinavian-Inspired Whole-House Remodel Before & After Images

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Open Concept Living Room and Kitchen in a Scandinavian-Inspired Whole-House Remodeling Project

Time For a Change

Having custom-built their home in 1990, Mark and Debbie were ready for some long-overdue cosmetic and functional upgrades.

We recently completed a whole-house remodel for Mark and Debbie, retired baby boomers living in Madison’s Wexford Village neighborhood. After more than 35 years in their home, they wanted to address outdated finishes, improve functionality, and create a brighter, more modern living environment that would better support their retirement lifestyle.

They were looking for a remodeling company that could handle every aspect of the project—from design and budgeting to problem-solving and attention to detail. Following a thorough pre-design process with our Client Relationship Specialist, Brian Teasdale, they decided we were the right fit.

See how our design and whole-home remodel transformed their house into a bright, welcoming, Scandinavian-inspired home designed for the next chapter of their lives.

Identifying the Challenges

Mark and Debbie are the original owners of their home, having custom-built it in 1990. Over the years, it served their family well. They raised children there, entered retirement, and now enjoy hosting grandchildren. While the home held many memories, it was no longer meeting their needs or reflecting their style.

The biggest challenges were found in the main living area. The kitchen felt dark, cramped, and inefficient. A large wall separated the kitchen and dinette from the living and dining rooms, limiting natural light and creating a disconnected layout. Throughout the home, outdated trim, flooring, windows, and bathrooms contributed to a dated appearance. The guest and primary bathrooms also required updates to meet current building codes, while air sealing and energy-efficiency issues needed attention.

The home had solid bones, but it was clearly ready for a major transformation. We began with the most significant improvements: the main living space, which included the kitchen, dining room, living room, dinette, and laundry area.

Opening the Main Living Area

The first step was removing the large wall that divided the main living space. This wall separated the vaulted living and dining rooms from the kitchen and dinette, making the home feel smaller and darker than it actually was.

Our design focused on creating an open floor plan that would allow natural light to flow throughout the space. However, during demolition, we uncovered an unexpected challenge. Although the home was built with roof trusses, the wall turned out to be load-bearing, supporting the mid-span load of the roof structure.

Working closely with an engineer, we developed a solution that preserved the open-concept design. A 22-inch structural beam was installed flush with the ceiling, carrying the roof load while eliminating the need for a visible drop beam. This allowed us to maintain clean sightlines and create the spacious feel the homeowners envisioned.

From the start, Mark and Debbie wanted a larger kitchen. Since they no longer needed a separate dinette, incorporating that space into the kitchen became a central part of the redesign.

Creating the Open Concept Kitchen

We explored several kitchen layouts before arriving at the design that best met the homeowners’ goals. By extending the kitchen into the former dinette area, we created a much more functional and spacious layout.

The range was relocated farther down the wall, while the sink and refrigerator areas were expanded to increase countertop space and improve workflow. This additional room allowed us to design a dramatic 9-foot island that now serves as a focal point of the main living space.

The island features a Linnstone Quartz countertop and seating for four, creating an inviting gathering place for family and friends. Because the kitchen is now fully connected to the surrounding living spaces, everyone can stay engaged, whether cooking, dining, or relaxing nearby.

We also incorporated a custom window seat beneath an existing window next to the range. Complete with built-in storage, it provides another comfortable spot for gathering while adding character and functionality to the space.

One concern Mark and Debbie had during the design process was the loss of upper cabinet storage. Their desire for a cleaner, less cluttered look meant reducing the number of upper cabinets, but we compensated by extending cabinetry to the ceiling. This provided up to four additional shelves in each cabinet while maintaining the streamlined appearance they wanted.

View The Kitchen Remodeling Page For This Project

To maximize organization, we included several specialty storage features, including: a stand mixer lift cabinet, tall pull-out spice and utensil storage, custom storage for pots, pans, and lids, tray divider storage, and deep drawers for everyday kitchen essentials. The result is a kitchen that feels open and uncluttered while offering significantly improved storage and functionality.

Open Concept Living

Across from the kitchen, the newly opened living area was redesigned to complement the home's updated aesthetic.

A new Heat & Glo 43-inch electric fireplace became a focal point, featuring natural birch logs, Trends Angelico stone-look tile fireplace surround, and a White Ash-stained maple mantel. The fireplace adds warmth and visual interest while maintaining the clean lines of the Scandinavian-inspired design.

To unify the entire space, we replaced the flooring throughout the main living area with CoreTEC Sea Salt Oak luxury vinyl plank flooring. The flooring provides durability, easy maintenance, and a natural wood appearance that complements the home's bright color palette.

In the dining room, a subtle Lark Kenna LED chandelier in lacquered brass adds warmth and sophistication without overwhelming the space.

Updating the Laundry and Mudroom

The mudroom and laundry room also received significant updates, though with fewer structural changes than the kitchen. To improve sightlines and create a greater sense of openness, we relocated the kitchen entry closer to the center of the mudroom. This simple adjustment allows clear views through the home from the garage entry and makes the entire area feel more connected.

In the laundry room, we removed a wall to visually open the space and to improve functionality. Mark and Debbie preferred to keep their side-by-side front-loading washer and dryer, so we installed Linnstone Quartz countertops above the appliances to provide folding and storage space.

A Signature Hardware Rowena 33-inch fireclay farmhouse sink adds both practicality and style, while new upper cabinetry provides ample storage for laundry and household supplies. The finished space feels organized, bright, and intentionally designed.

Moving On to the Bedroom and Bathroom Wing

The bedroom wing required fewer structural changes but still benefited greatly from thoughtful updates. In the bedrooms, we focused on cosmetic improvements that refreshed the spaces without altering their layouts. New carpeting, trim, door casings, paint, and ceiling lighting dramatically improved the overall appearance and brought the rooms in line with the rest of the home's updated design. While the changes were relatively simple, they made a noticeable difference in creating a cohesive look throughout the home.

Bringing the Bathrooms Up to Code

The guest bathroom required both functional and aesthetic improvements. Like much of the house, it felt dark and cramped. One of the primary challenges involved the original vanity. While it met code requirements when the home was built, current standards required additional clearance around the toilet.

Our solution was to replace the oversized vanity with a slightly narrower freestanding model that included drawers to provide better storage. This change created the necessary clearance while improving functionality.

We also relocated the plumbing layout so that all plumbing fixtures shared a common wall. This simplified the design and made access to the bathtub more comfortable and convenient.  The result is a bathroom that feels more open, functions better, and meets current code requirements.

A New Primary Bathroom for Aging in Place

The primary bathroom underwent a complete transformation focused on both comfort and aging-in-place considerations. As in the guest bathroom, we first addressed code-related clearance issues by reducing the vanity width. This allowed us to reallocate space to the shower, creating a larger and more comfortable bathing area.

Although the vanity became slightly smaller, Mark and Debbie still wanted dual sinks and abundant storage. To accomplish this, we selected cabinetry featuring innovative U-shaped drawers that wrap around the plumbing. This design maximizes storage space and provides six fully functional drawers without sacrificing aesthetics.

View All of The Bathroom Images For This Project

Safety and accessibility were key priorities throughout the redesign. To support aging in place while maintaining a stylish appearance, we incorporated matte-finish Daltile Bee Hive Medley floor tile for improved slip resistance. Other aging-in-place features include a comfort-height elongated toilet, a low-step shower base, and strategically placed grab bars. All these features improve safety, resulting in a space that is both beautiful and practical for years to come.

Scandinavian-Inspired Design

Functionality was only part of the transformation. Equally important was creating a cohesive design aesthetic that reflected Mark and Debbie's personal style. The couple described themselves as aspiring minimalists and wanted to move away from the home’s existing 1980s/early 90s aesthetic toward a warmer, cleaner Scandinavian-inspired design.

Throughout the kitchen, perimeter cabinetry was painted Sherwin-Williams White Heron, creating a bright and inviting backdrop. The White Ash-stained maple island adds warmth and natural texture, while Linnstone Surfaces Yukon quartz countertops and a full-height backsplash contribute to a clean, minimalist aesthetic.

The fireplace mantel carries the White Ash finish into the living room, visually connecting the spaces. Champagne bronze fixtures and accents throughout the home provide warmth and sophistication, while the Trends Angelico tile fireplace surround and dining room chandelier reinforce the overall design theme.

In the laundry room and pantry, cabinetry finished in Agreeable Gray creates a subtle contrast while maintaining continuity with the kitchen. The slightly darker tone helps define the spaces without disrupting the overall flow.

Because the guest bathroom is located near the main living area, the homeowners wanted it to feel connected yet maintain its own identity. We achieved this through warm gray cabinetry, champagne bronze fixtures, a matte-black wall sconce, a uniquely shaped Kohler Veil semi-recessed vessel sink, and a Delta wall-mounted faucet paired with a Cambria Roxwell countertop.

The primary bathroom was intentionally designed to stand apart from the rest of the home. Here, we leaned more heavily into the Scandinavian inspiration. The Bee Hive Medley hexagonal floor tile introduces texture and a natural stone appearance, while the natural alder vanity creates a richer, more dramatic wood tone than the White Ash found elsewhere in the home. A Silestone Versailles Ivory quartz countertop completes the look and beautifully balances the darker wood cabinetry.

The Result of this Whole House Remodel

Through careful planning, thoughtful design, and close collaboration with the homeowners, we transformed a 35-year-old house into a bright, functional, and modern home tailored to Mark and Debbie's lifestyle.

The remodel addressed long-standing functional challenges, improved safety and accessibility, and created the open, welcoming spaces they envisioned. Most importantly, it allowed them to remain in the home they love while enjoying a design that reflects how they live today.

After an extensive redesign and whole-home renovation, Mark and Debbie couldn't be happier with the result—and we're proud to have helped them create a home ready for the next chapter of life.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The homeowners wanted to update their 1990 home with a brighter, more functional layout that better supported retirement and everyday living. The remodel also aimed to create a Scandinavian-inspired aesthetic that felt clean, warm, and timeless.

  • This project combined major structural changes, such as opening the main living area, with highly customized design details throughout the kitchen, bathrooms, laundry room, and bedrooms. It was also designed to improve comfort, accessibility, and energy efficiency while preserving the home’s character.

  • The kitchen was expanded into the former dinette area to create a larger, more efficient workspace. The redesign included a 9-foot island, a relocated range, more countertop space, ceiling-height cabinetry, and specialty storage solutions to reduce clutter while improving organization

  • The design uses bright cabinetry, warm wood tones, natural textures, and restrained hardware and lighting. Key elements include white perimeter cabinets, a stained maple island, quartz surfaces, light flooring, bronze accents, and a clean fireplace surround that reinforces the minimalist feel.

  • The living room gained a new focal-point fireplace with stone-look tile and a white ash-stained mantel, while the dining room received a subtle chandelier that adds warmth without overpowering the space. The new flooring throughout the main level helps unify the open floor plan.

  • Both bathrooms needed updates to meet current code requirements and improve comfort. The guest bath was reconfigured for better clearance and usability, while the primary bath was expanded and designed with aging-in-place features such as a low-step shower base, grab bars, a comfort-height toilet, and slip-resistant flooring.


  • It means the home was designed so the owners can remain comfortable and safe as they get older. In this remodel, that included practical changes like easier shower access, improved flooring safety, and more functional bathroom layouts.

  • Degnan’s process brings design, budgeting, planning, and construction together under one team, which helps streamline communication and decision-making. Their published process emphasizes consultation, preliminary design, design development, selections, estimating, contract signing, construction preparation, and follow-through after completion.

  • Yes. This project shows how an older home can be transformed with modern functionality while still feeling warm and livable. The Scandinavian-inspired look worked especially well here because it paired simple forms with natural materials and soft, neutral finishes.

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